The Genus Embreea

This genus is named for Alvin Embree, American Orchidologist; abbreviated Embr.

It was first described as Stanhopea rodigasiana by Claes ex Cogn. in the Chronique Orchideenne in 1898. However, as there are differences in the floral structure and plant habit that are distinctly different from all other Stanhopeas, it was placed in a separate, monotypic genus, Embreea, by Calaway H. Dodson (Phytologia 46(6): 389. 1980).

Embreea rodigasiana, the type species, has single-flowered inflorescenses, while most Stanhopea species have many-flowered inflorescences, and the mesochile of E. rodigasiana bears four horns, while Stanhopea species have two horns. Grows in wet cloud forests.

The photo at left shows Embreea rodgasiana 'Caudebec' AM/AOS.

Arnie Klehm describes it: "The most impressive of all species in the Stanhopea family. Long pendant inflorescences bear a single large white blooms blotched and blushed with dark burgundy. Delightful fragrance. Compact grower."

Twelve years later, Rudolf Jenny described a second species in the genus, Embreea herrenhusana Jenny (2002).

Abstract: "A molecular phylogeny was estimated for 23 species of the genus Stanhopea and its sister taxon the monotypic Embreea (Orchidaceae) using the internally transcribed spacer regions-1 and -2 (ITS). We compared the molecular phylogeny with data on floral fragrances and pollination biology. In a few instances, the fragrance data reflected the molecular phylogeny of some of the species groups, but for the most part, fragrance data were homoplasious and not reliable indicators of phylogeny as determined from the independently derived molecular data set."